subtle as a brick

lighting is very much a discipline in its own right, as I've found out through both visualisation and design work. being famed for both its simplicity and subtlety you might think that japan would have this down to a fine art, and whilst paper lanterns can still be found in most homes, the main source of light is from fluorescent rings.

I don't know if it's because it's been accepted simply for its efficiency, but strip lighting is much more at home in car parks and hospitals - and it's a little difficult to unwind under the cold blue light. variations of directional, task and background lighting seem to have been all but forgotten in many homes. out and about, neon lines most streets, parks glare with floodlighting and pachinko parlours fire searchlights over most of the city.

I remember when we visited Aarhus about 5 years ago and walking along our friends suburban neighbourhood we spotted the combination of candles and classic lights creating a cosy glow in the harsh Danish winter. pendants by henningsen and castiglioni were in the majority of homes. there seemed to be a unquestioned respect for the quality of light by very average people.

perhaps it's japans relatively subdued weather that does not inspire the need for anything more than the fluorescent strip but if you ever look at a satellite image of the world at night you may be shocked at how much of an output such a small nation can produce.